Dan Bucatinsky Opens Up About Final Scene With Lisa Kudrow

After Two Decades, Lisa Kudrow’s ‘The Comeback’ Reaches a Powerful Conclusion

The long journey of Valerie Cherish has officially come to an end. On Sunday, May 10, HBO aired the series finale of The Comeback, concluding a story that began in the early 2000s. After two previous runs separated by decade-long gaps, the comedy returned for one final season to tackle a modern Hollywood crisis: Artificial Intelligence.

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For Dan Bucatinsky, who has played Valerie's loyal but high-strung manager Billy since the beginning, the finale was more than just a professional wrap—it was a deeply personal farewell.

Valerie’s Stand Against Hollywood AI

The finale centered on Valerie navigating a complex battle with NuNet executive Brandon Wallick (Andrew Scott). While Wallick pushed for AI-generated scripts to keep costs low, industry heavyweights—including characters played by Bradley Whitford, Adam Scott, and Justin Theroux—urged Valerie to take a stand for human writers.

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In a pivotal moment, Valerie broke away from the corporate script. She defended the "art of the sitcom," arguing that while AI is a tool, it can never replicate human creativity. This bold move paid off; the series ended with Valerie earning an Emmy nomination for a new drama series, finally achieving the critical respect she craved for decades.

An Emotional Goodbye for Billy and Valerie

While Valerie found professional success, her relationship with Billy reached a bittersweet crossroads. Driven by a desire to become a star in his own right, Billy chose to pursue a fashion opportunity in New York, effectively ending their professional partnership.

Bucatinsky described their final scene—where Valerie asks, "Do I have a manager anymore?"—as "fraught with emotion." Because Bucatinsky and Kudrow are long-time friends in real life, the tears seen on screen were genuine.

"This was the last time that we were going to be on camera together as Billy and Valerie, and I definitely felt it," Bucatinsky shared. He noted that while it was difficult for Billy to let go of his "work family," the character also felt a sense of freedom.

A Trilogy Complete

Lisa Kudrow has previously confirmed that this third installment completes the The Comeback trilogy, with no plans for a Season 4. As Valerie Cherish takes her final bow, the show leaves behind a legacy of sharp industry satire and a poignant look at the evolution of fame in the digital age.